CBB Promotions Blog Tour, Interview, & Giveaway: The Wolf's Cry (Natalie Crown)

Thanks for stopping by my tour stop for The Wolf's Cry by Natalie Crown. This is a YA Fantasy book that released in January 2014. This is the first book in the The Semei Trilogy.  This tour will run March 10th-21st and consist of reviews, author interviews, guest posts, top tens and a giveaway.  Stop by the tour page for the full list of tour stops.

Book Title: The Wolf's Cry (Book One in the Semei Trilogy)
Author: Natalie Crown
Genre: YA Fantasy
Recommended Age: YA
Length: PDF is 199 pages

She is his weakness.
And she will ruin everything.
Kammy Helseth's idea of adventure never amounted to more than getting a boat across to the mainland and finally escaping to London. That was until she stumbled through the mouth of the forest into a world beneath our own, the world of the Semei.
Her only wish is to find her way home but when Jamie, her best friend, is taken into this new world of shapeshifters and Crystals she has no choice but to stand up to her fear and to remain beneath the surface. Hunted by Bagor, King of Alashdial, and those that are loyal to him, Kammy finds herself in the company of a group of outlaws led by Jad, a Prince with a bitter past and a similarly bitter demeanour.
They overcome age-old prejudice to find a way to work together. But Bagor knows a secret about the Crystals that threatens to change everything. Kammy and Jad must find a way to thwart the king and to save Jamie, but that is just the beginning. For Kammy is in possession of a Key and the fate of countless lives, both human and Semei, may rest in her hands.

Book Links:  

Goodreads | Amazon 

About the Author:I grew up in a village called Swilland, in the countryside of Suffolk, England. There wasn't much around, other than farms and fields, but for the most part I loved it, and I still do. I’m a passionate person by nature. I don’t just LIKE things, I LOVE things. Whether it’s a book, a film, or a sports team. Once I decide to enjoy something, I enjoy it to the MAX.

I’m a terrible cook. I prioritise essential social media work over keeping my flat tidy, because I know best. I

Onto my love of reading and, consequently, writing - it was my dad that played a big role in encouraging me to read. He didn't push me towards books necessarily; he simply read a lot himself. Then I would pick up his books and read them after him. I was reading high and epic fantasy from a very young age. I guess that might explain why I have always loved adventure stories with magic and intrigue and princes and princesses in.

I was aware that I wanted to ‘be a writer’ from a very young age. I was convinced I would be the first best seller that hadn't reached double figures in age yet! I wrote about the Danshees, furry creatures that lived through a mirror. I wrote about a Sand Bottle that transported a boy into a world of magic. I wrote about a sick girl finding a music boy that healed her, but transported her back in time. (Wow, I always have loved alternate universes…)

When I was eight I wrote my first novel called The Land of No Return. Despite the title, I am determined to return to it one day. I feel like I owe it to my past self. So, as you can see, I have always been writing. There have been times when I have gone weeks without scratching down a word. Then there are days where I churn out multiple chapters and only my body’s silly desire for sleep and/or food can stop me.

I write because I enjoy it. I write fantasy because I enjoy it. I try my hardest to put something of myself into my writing. I like to think my characters have depth, I like to think that my fantasy worlds reflect upon the real world in some way. You guys will be the judge of that but even if you don't agree I know that I at least try and I can do no more than that.

These days I live in North London and I love it. I work full time and London is a hectic city. Juggling work, writing and a social life is tough but nobody is forcing me to do it so I can't complain. The dream is that writing will be my career one day but it doesn't matter if I never quite make it. I love writing too much to ever pack it in.

I am desperate to get a dog. My mum suspects I miss my cats at home more than I miss her. I am a devout Arsenal/Ferrari/Rafael Nadal fan. I get all mad when confronted with a case of social injustice and then I get all mad when people take the fight for social justice too far. I mostly keep those thoughts to myself and simmer with rage. I watch good TV and bad TV, because I can. What I can’t do is enjoy bad books (subjective opinion of course). I just can’t.

Find the author:

Website/Blog |  Tumblr | Facebook | Twitter | Goodreads

1.                  What gave you the inspiration to write this book?

 

I don't really have a moment that comes to mind, or a particular thing. This book has been a project for so many years and it has transformed so much over time that it doesn't come from one 'ah-hah' moment. I guess there are standard favourites of mine that have probably all combined to inspire it. Raymond E Feist's books, The Song of the Lioness Quartet, Harry Potter, Star Wars, His Dark Materials, Lord of the Rings...all of these things, and more, have moulded my creative ideas over the years.

 

2.                  Who is your favorite character in the book?

 

I know it will sound really lame but I really do love all of them. Jad was the first character I created, so there is a lot of affection attached to him because of that. I am really proud of Bagor, in the sense that I love good villains and I'm happy with how he has turned out. I guess I would say Kammy though. I love her growth, I love her attitude and while all of the characters are important - she's the heart for me.

 

3.                  Which came first, the title or the novel?

 

The novel. The novel by a long, long way. I struggled with titles for a while, actually. The title was a chapter title at first and it kept coming back to me. And then the titles of the next two books appeared in my mind and I realised it just felt right. It's working title was just 'The Semei', but I was never happy with that for anything other than the series title.

 

I'm really happy with all three titles now.

 

4.                  What scene in the book are you most proud of, and why?

 

I love these questions, but wow it is hard to pick one.

 

I'm proud of the Bagor scenes. I don't want to say much without spoiling it, but I was so excited by the time I got around to writing them. He's a fun character write and I hope that comes across in the effectiveness of his role. Ah, it's hard to say ANYTHING without spoiling. Basically, I hope everyone enjoys those scenes as much as I enjoyed writing them!

 

I have also always had a soft spot for Jad and Kammy in the sea of flowers. Just cause.

 

 

5.                  Thinking way back to the beginning, what’s the most important thing you’ve learned as a writer from then to now?

 

To not be so hard on myself. There were times in the past where I'd get so mad if I wrote a bad paragraph that I would just give up. I know now that i doesn't matter because I'm gonna write so many drafts that I'll get it right eventually. Write when your writing is crappy, you'll break through to the good stuff again soon enough.

 

6.                  What do you like most about the cover of the book?

 

I love the colour scheme. I have to say that Johanna did such an amazing job. Ever since I came up with the title, I envisaged the cover like this. She got it spot on. I love that it's a bit different to the norm, I think? And the glint in the wolf's eye. Johanna is insanely talented. (Can we link to Johanna's deviantart here?) http://lhuin.deviantart.com/

 

7.                  What new release book are you looking most forward to in 2014?

 

I cannot WAIT to see how the Grisha trilogy ends with Ruin and Rising. And I am dying for Heir of Fire. Crown ofMidnight was such a step up on Throne of Glass. Hopefully HoF will continue that trend. And I'm really hoping for Arobynn to pop up. He's the best villain in the series so far in my opinion.

 

8.                  What was your favorite book in 2013?

 

Oh man. I read SO MANY good ones. Crown of Midnight had me flailing, as did Quintana of Charyn and so many others.

 

Yet, despite fantasy being my favourite genre, I'm going to say Code Name Verity. If you haven't read this book, YOU SHOULD. The first half of it was funny, and intriguing and tense but with such a lively tone. And then everything was turned upside down and I was sobbing for the whole final third. Amazing.

 

9.                  What’s up next for you?

 

Life has been pretty busy over the last few months, with writing and with work. I have a holiday to Italy coming up in April so I cannot wait for that. I always feel really inspired to write in Italy, so I'll be working on the third draft of The Lion's Pride - the second book in The Semei Trilogy.

 

Hopefully I'll have a cover reveal for you all by the end of the summer, building up to the release at the end of the year.

 

10.              Is there anything that you would like to add?

 

Sorry if my answers were rubbish? Haha.

 

Thank you Beth for these questions and for taking part in the tour. I loved answering them!

And thanks to everyone reading. I'd love to hear back from you guys about your inspirations, or what books you're most looking forward too!

2 $50 Amazon Gift Cards (INT)

a Rafflecopter giveaway

This tour was organized by CBB Book Promotions